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Bliss wrapped her arms around his neck, and, after he grabbed the lowest branch, she wrapped her legs around his waist. He climbed the branches with little effort and found a solid spot where they could perch. Once wrapped around each other and braced snugly in the crevice where two thick branches and the tree trunk met, they waited.
It wasn’t long before a sizeable troop on horses rode right beneath them. Their gait was steady, not at all rushed, almost overly confident. Bits of conversation drifted up through the branches and the leaves that had yet to fall.
Bliss smiled at the snippets of chatter she caught.
“Gave his son the sickness, he did.”
“Don’t want none of his food.”
“Glad we left fast.”
So Albert had fared well; she was pleased.
The chatter continued.
“Too far north.”
“We’ll battle the snow before we battle foe.”
The soldiers seemed to have their doubts as to the king’s decision to send them north just before winter. Not a good tactical move to their way of thinking and one that could cost many soldiers their lives.
The voices drifted off as the last of the soldiers passed beneath them.
Trey cautioned silence, and Bliss saw why when a lone soldier appeared several minutes later. He meandered slowly, his attention on the road. No doubt scouting to make certain no one followed. After he finally vanished from sight, Trey climbed down from the tree, bringing them effortlessly to the ground.
“I need to follow their trail,” he said.
He had not included her. He obviously worried over her safety, but then she worried over his. Wasn’t that how it was when it came to love?
She was about to argue, wanting to help him, when she realized it would be best for her to remain behind. She couldn’t say why; she only knew it was the right thing to do.
So she did what was best for them both. “I can wait here for you if you think it more prudent.”
His smile hinted at relief, and he took hold of her hand. “I must find you a safe place to hide.”
She gave a quick glance around and, finding what she searched for, pointed a short distance away. “That formation of rocks, I’ll take shelter behind them and wait there for you.”
He appeared reluctant to leave, and she was not surprised at his reluctance after learning of what had happened to Leora. She now better understood his need to protect.
“Go,” she urged. “I will be fine.” She gave him a light shove, and he reluctantly left her side.
“I will return,” he said after taking only a few steps and casting a quick glance over his shoulder.
She nodded and turned, not wanting to watch him walk away, and made her way to the cropping of rocks.
Aye, he would be back for her, and love would grow between them ... and intimacy. She smiled at the thought and looked forward to it. The more she got to know Trey, the more easily she fell in love with him. He was such a good, caring man and one she could rely on without worry or doubt. And that appealed to her more than his fine features and lean body.
She laughed and shook her head. That wasn’t completely true. She favored his good looks and his attractive body. She couldn’t keep from smiling though it didn’t seem right to feel lighthearted and carefree at the moment, but she couldn’t help it.
Love was teasing her heart, and she was enjoying every part and parcel of it.
Bliss stopped abruptly and listened. She heard stirring behind the cropping of rocks. She waited and sensed ... then knew. A man waited there.
Trey made his way cautiously through the woods, traveling parallel to the path the soldiers had taken. He had limited time to view the troop encampment. Lingering too long could get him caught since there probably would be sentinels around the camp. And no doubt, scouts roamed about. He had to survey the area quickly and be gone.
Besides, he didn’t want to leave Bliss unprotected too long. She did carry a weapon of sorts, her knowing. But it would do her little good if caught by a group of soldiers, and that was what he feared.
She was vulnerable no matter what way he looked at it. And it tore at his gut that he had to leave her alone in the woods.
